Cleansing device



M. J. ROCHE Feb. 4, 1941.

.GLEANSING DEVICE Filed March 14, 1938 ,2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 4, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLEAN SING DEVICE Michael J. Roche, Springfield, Mass.

Application March 14, 1938, Serial No. 195,799

8 Claims.

This invention relates to cleansing devices especially for washing bedpans, being an improvement upon the device disclosed in my Patent No. 2,080,745 issued May 18, 1937.

One object of my invention is to reduce the cost of production by simplifying the construction of my device. Another object is to speed up the washing of a bedpan by providing and locating parts that make the cleansing operation simpler, faster and more certain, thereby immediately eliminating the odor arising therefrom.

A further object is to provide means to position each of the various sizes and shapes of bedpans, commonly used, in the exact location necessary for eicient cleansing. Still another object is to provide such simple and durable operating parts that the cleansing operation can be performed repeatedly over a long period of time without having to make repairs or even adjustments.

The foregoing and other objects which will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, may be accomplished by a construction, combination and operative arrangement of parts such as is disclosed by the drawings and specification. The nature of the invention is such as to render it susceptible to various changes and modications, and, therefore, I am not to be limited to said disclosure; but am entitled to all such changes therefrom as fall within the scope of my claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view `of my device with the cover closed.

Figure 2 is a sectional View taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1 during the cleansing operation.

Figure 3 is a sectional view similar to Figure 2, broken away, with the bedpan removed, with the cover raised and the nozzle in inactive position.

Figure 4 is a sectional View, broken away, taken on the line 4 4 of Figure 2, the bedpan being indicated by dot and dash lines.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary detail sectional View, illustrating the connection between the water supply conduit and the base of the cleansing nozzle.

Figure 6 is a plan View of the interior of the main receptacle showing an auxiliary steam coil within and extending around `the wall of the main receptacle of my device; but omitting other members within said receptacle.

Figure 'l is a sectional View, taken on the line 'I--l of Figure 6.

As illustrated, there is a receptacle I0 commonly called a hopper ln which the bedpan P is placed for cleansing. A flange II at the bottom makes it possible to fasten said receptacle to the oor or to a drain pipe. Water for the cleansing operation enters said receptacle I0 through a supply pipe I3 equipped with a valve I4. A cover I6 for said receptacle I0 is moved by a handle Il, being hingedly fastened to said receptacle as at I8. It is kept closed during the cleansing operation and assists incorrectly positioning said bedpan. Attached to an inner portion of the cover is a positioning member or stud 20 which is so located that it contacts the top, overhanging rim of said bedpan when said cover I6 is moved to closed position, and causes said bedpan P, which may vary in size and shape, to assume a predetermined position for the most effective cleansing operation, as illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings.

A movable arm 24 is pivoted at one end as at 25 to a lug on said cover I6 and at the other end is pivoted as at 26 to a lug 2l which is cast on a movable, hollow nozzle 28, which constitutes the principal cleansing member. In the head of said nozzle 28 are two discharge slits 29 and 30. A stream of water passes through said slit 30 that is directed upwardly and strikes the under surface of the top or overhanging rim of said bedpan, thereby washing away any fecal matter that has collected there. The stream of liquid passing through said slit 29 is directed against the bottom of said bedpan Bl.

Said nozzle 28 is screw threaded as at 32 at its lower end on which is screwed a hollow pipe tting or gland bushing 33 having a shoulder 33a formed thereon intermediate its ends. An interiorly screw threaded nut 34 screw threadedly connects said fitting 33 to the end of said supply pipe I3. The interior of said pipe I3 flares outwardly towards said end to permit the free rotation of said fitting 33 therein, thereby making it possible to move said nozzle 28 to and from cleansing position. A coiled spring 35 bears against said shoulder 33a and an inwardly projecting portion 0f said nut 34.

A xed rack or holder 4U composed of several bars is fastened as at 4I' to the interior wall structure of said hopper I0 at various places, as shown. Said holder 40 is permanently fixed to said hopper I0, being sufficiently large to receive the largest of various sizes of bedpans Pv commonly used.

In order to hold said bedpan P firmly in a predetermined position in said rack 4I] during the cleansing operation I provide a side positioning member 44 pivotally mounted as at 45 to one of the bars forming said rack which member 44 has a finger 46 that bears against said bedpan P in said rack. A weight 41 constitutes the Outer end of said positioning member 44 and maintains said nger 46 against said bedpan P with considera-ble pressure. When a bedpan P is inserted in the rack 4U it encounters said nger 46 and said finger 46 is forced outwardly to the position illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings or thereabouts. This positioning member 44 assists in moving said bedpan B to a predetermined position and maintains it there by preventing any side movement outwardly.

In order to cleanse the outside of a bedpan P, there may be provided auxiliary apparatus in the form of a coil 50 having a number of ports 5l for the escape of steam into the said hopper Il) and onto the bedpan, said coil extending around the interior periphery of said hopper, and being supp-lied with steam from a pipe 52 having a valve 53.

To cleanse a bedpan P, it is merely inserted into the rack, and the positioning member 44 automatically bears against its bottom. The cover I5 is closed and said positioning stud 20 contacts the overhanging rim of said bedpan and causes it to assume the predetermined upright position required for most efficient cleansing. The closing of the cover also moves said nozzle 28 to a predetermined position by means of said arm 24 which movesl with said cover. Said valve I4 is opened and two streams of water escape through said slits 2S and 3D into the bedpan, as illustrated.

What I claim is:

l. A cleansing device comprising a receptacle, a movable cover therefor, a holder in said receptacle adapted to receive and hold a bedpan, cleansing means for discharging liquid into said bedpan in said receptacle, and positioning means attached to said cover adapted upon movement of said coverto closed position to contact a bedpan when inserted into said holder and cause it to assume a predetermined position.

2. A cleansing device comprising a receptacle, a movable cover therefor, a holder in said receptacle adapted to receive and hold a bedpan, cleansing means for discharging liquid into said bedpan in said receptacle, and positioning means attached to an inner portion of said cover adapted upon movement o-f said cover to closed position to contact a bedpan when inserted into said holder and cause it to assume a predetermined position.

3. A cleansing device comprising a receptacle, a movable cover therefor, a holder in said receptacle adapted to receive and hold a bedpan, cleansing means for discharging liquid into said bedpan in said receptacle, and positioning means attached to said cover and projecting into said receptacle when said cover is in closed position, and adapted upon movement of said cover to closed position to contact a bedpan when inserted into said holder and cause it to assume a predetermined position.

4. A cleansing device comprising a receptacle, a holder in xed position in said.l receptacle adapted to receive and hold a bedpan, a movable cleansing nozzle for' cleansing a bedpan having a head extending upwardly and above the remainder of said nozzle both in cleansing and in inactive position and adapted to project into a bedpan in cleansing position and having two discharge outlets which are more than 90 degrees apart and both below the upper extremity of said head, said outlets being so positioned when said nozzle is in cleansing position that one will direct a stream upwardly at the under surface of the overhanging rim of a bedpan held by said holder and another will direct a stream towards the bottom of said bedpan.

5. A cleansing device comprising a receptacle having a movable cover, a holder in said receptacle adapted to receive and hold a bedpan, a movable cleansing nozzle terminating in a head at its upper extremity having discharge outlets therein for cleansing a bedpan in said receptacle, means pivotally fastened to said cover and to said nozzle whereby movement of said cover moves said nozzle.

6. A cleansing Idevice comprising a receptacle having a movable cover, a holder in said receptacle adapted to receive and hold a bedpan, a movable cleansing nozzle having a head at its upper pontion for cleansing a bedpan in said receptacle, means pivotally fastened to the rear portion of said cover and to the upper portion of said nozzle adjacent to and below said head whereby movement of said cover moves said nozzle.

7. A cleansing device comprising a receptacle having a movable cover, a holder iixedly mounted in said receptacle adapted to receive and hold a bedpan, a movable, upwardly extending cleansing nozzle for cleaning said bedpan in said receptacle, a member extending sidewise from said nozzle at the upper portion thereof, an arm pivotally fastened to said cover and to said member so positioned that movement of said cover moves said nozzle.

8. A cleansing device comprising a receptacle, a holder in xed permanent position in said receptacle adapted to receive and hold a bedpan, a movable cleansing nozzle extending upwardly for cleansing a bedpan having two discharge outlets so positioned that one slants upwardly to the left of the longitudinal axis of said nozzle and will direct a stream upwardly at the under surface of the overhanging rim of a bedpan held by said holder and another slants downwardly to the right of said axis and will direct a stream towards the bottom of said bedpan and means movably holding said nozzle in different upwardly extending positions in cleansing and inactive positions with the portion having said discharge outlets uppermost in both positions.

MICHAEL J. ROCHE. 

